Members of the European Parliament have underlined that any peace agreement on Ukraine must be shaped with Ukraine’s democratically elected leaders at the table and with

the clear support of the Ukrainian people.

In a joint statement released on Wednesday, the group of lead MEPs stressed that there can be no lasting or just peace if Ukraine itself is sidelined or pressured into concessions against its will. They reiterated that international law and Ukraine’s sovereignty must remain the foundation of all negotiations.

The statement was signed by:

David McAllister (EPP, Germany), Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee

Pekka Toveri (EPP, Finland), Chair of the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee

Brando Benifei (S\&D, Italy), Chair of the delegation for relations with the U.S.

Ville Niinistö (Greens/EFA, Finland), Chair of the EU-Russia Parliamentary Cooperation Committee

Michael Gahler (EPP, Germany), Standing Rapporteur for Ukraine

Michał Szczerba (EPP, Poland), Standing Rapporteur for the U.S.

Sandra Kalniete (EPP, Latvia), Standing Rapporteur for Russia

Together, they made clear that Europe stands firmly with Ukraine and that peace must come on terms decided by Ukrainians themselves, not imposed from outside.

“Taking note of the planned meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on 15 August, we welcome all efforts aimed at achieving a just and sustainable peace in Ukraine that is firmly grounded in international law, the principles of the UN Charter and ensures the prosecution of those responsible for war crimes.

With that in mind, we stress that no peace in Ukraine can be negotiated without the full participation of Ukraine’s democratically elected leadership and the backing of its people. We underline that any settlement that neglects the will of Ukraine or undermines its legitimate aspirations will be neither just nor viable.

We emphasise that any arrangement on terms dictated by Russia or that would reward its war of aggression against Ukraine would gravely endanger the security of the European continent. It is therefore essential and urgent that the EU, its Member States and all like-minded partners and allies continue to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In this context, we recall that the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity are the cornerstone of stability in Europe and globally. Aggression must never be rewarded or acknowledged – neither in Ukraine nor anywhere else. If Russia succeeds in altering Ukraine’s borders by force, the security of no country’s borders can be assured.

We stress that peace negotiations must be preceded by an unconditional ceasefire. At the same time, we caution against the disingenuous approach to negotiations and the unserious proposals put forward by Russian leaders over the past months, which reveal their intent to prolong the war across the entire Ukrainian territory for as long as they can and as long as they are allowed to.

We call on the European Union and its Member States to remain united and steadfast in their political, economic, military and humanitarian support to Ukraine until a comprehensive, just and lasting peace is secured in full accordance with international law and the will and aspirations of the Ukrainian people.” Photo by Andriy155, Wikimedia commons.